IOF's 1st Middle-East and Africa Osteoporosis Meeting to be held in Dubai

Largest bone event ever held in the region draws close to 1000 researchers and health professionals

Doctors and clinical investigators from the throughout the Middle East gathered today in Dubai for the opening of the International Osteoporosis Foundation's (IOF) 1st Middle-East and Africa Osteoporosis Meeting.

The meeting, taking place at the Intercontinental Dubai Festival City to October 22, 2011,has received the official patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, U.A.E. Minister of Finance, and President of the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services. HE Abdul Rhaman Al Owais, Minister of Culture, Youth and Community Development and UAE Acting Minister of Health, welcomed participants at the opening ceremony.

The 1st Middle-East & Africa Osteoporosis Meeting features presentations by leading international speakers and key experts from throughout the region. Its clinically-oriented scientific programme includes 17 plenary lectures, five meet-the-expert sessions, five satellite symposia and an orthopedic roundtable. IOF President Professor John A. Kanis commented, "The great number of attendees from more than 50 countries indicates that there is a real need for regionally-focused meetings that present both a well-developed clinical programme and high standards of clinical research. Participants will find that this is a fertile venue for education, innovation and collaboration."

Dr. Basel Masri, osteoporosis expert from Jordan and scientific co-chair of the meeting highlighted the significance of the new regional research to be presented in Dubai. "Osteoporosis is a serious health challenge in the region. We believe that this meeting will serve to both improve patient care and stimulate regional research. Young scientists in particular will benefit from this high-profile venue in which to present their research findings to an international audience." Research abstracts from the meeting have been published in the field's leading journal, 'Osteoporosis International'.